What to Wear

What should I wear? This is a question that many new rowers have. Wearing the proper clothing on day one will make rowing more comfortable and may help you avoid problems, such as blisters and colds.

During practice, wear the items that you intend to wear during a race to ensure that they work as expected and are comfortable.

As we often experience sudden changes in the weather, it may be a good idea to have the following items ready to use:

Pants

Most rowers like to layer two or more pairs of pants for extra comfort and to prevent blisters. Choose pants that are made of slippery fabric to allow you to slide on the seat. Spandex works well – long pants for cold days and shorts for warmer days.

Shoes

Choose any type of comfortable sneaker or running shoe. Lace-up shoes will be more secure in the boat.

Shirts

Many rowers like tank tops and loose fitting, non restrictive, t-shirts. Choose a breathable fabric and shirts that will allow you to layer on colder days.

Jackets

Early season rowing may require a warm sweatshirt and a rain jacket. A hooded jacket is a good idea for wet weather.

When ordering team uniforms, consider ordering a light-weight rain jacket or wind breaker (funding permitted). It will come in handy on rainy and windy days!

Gloves or pogies

Many rowers find it difficult to row with gloves on. However, gloves or pogies may be a necessary for cold days early in the season. You can wear gloves during the boat setup and warmup and take them off during practice. Pogies allow you to grip with your bare hand which may be a good option.

Hat

Many rowers like to wear a ball cap (warm days) or toque (cold days).

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are recommended for coxswains as the sun can make it difficult to see the course. Some rowers like to wear sunglasses while other feel that they are uncomfortable when perspiration is an issue.

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Site design and creation

This site is designed and created by Denise Carew, fixed seat coxswain, coach, rower, for rowers, coxswains, and coaches who are interested in rowing in the Royal St. John’s Regatta or any fixed seat regatta. You will see her at pond side!

Disclaimer

This site is endorsed by the Royal St. John's Regatta committee. It is in no way meant to replace the content available on the Royal St. John's Regatta, the Placentia Regatta, and the Harbour Grace Regatta websites. Rowers, coxswains, and coaches should consult the individual Regatta web sites for rules and regulations, key dates, fees, the history of the regattas, and other related information.